Notebook: Will Newton last?

John Holler & Tim Yotter

02/11/2011

The Vikings are in the market for at least one rookie quarterback this year and one possibility put on a show for the media Thursday. Plus, the Vikings have preseason backup plans with the NFL and TCF Bank Stadium, and the Brett Favre ‘Dancing' rumors appear untrue.

With questions surrounding who the Vikings might be eyeing in the first round of the draft, one player who continues to be mentioned is Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Cam Newton. However, the question now is likely to be this: Will Newton even be available when the Vikings pick at No. 12?

Newton held a workout for the assembled media Thursday and was extremely impressive, getting rave reviews from ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer, who said, "If scouts saw this, they'd be slobbering."
Newton said he is hoping to learn from mentor Brett Favre. Newton said in an interview with NFL Network that meeting Favre made him a little star-struck when he opted to sign on with Bus Cook, Favre's agent.

"When Brett Favre came into the meeting room as I was trying to decide which agent was going to select, I (saw) Brett and Brett called by name," Newton said. "I was like ‘Wow!' It's unheard of and it's a dream come true just to be acknowledged and being able to talk and call Brett any time I feel."

Cook, who made a nice wage as Favre's longtime agent, could be in for a similar windfall with Newton if he lands in the sort of blue-chip draft position he is expected to see. According to most mock drafts, Newton is being targeted by the Tennessee Titans at No. 8 and the Washington Redskins at No. 10.

While the jury is still out on the maturity aspect of Newton's draft stock, one thing seems certain – after showing off his skills for the media Thursday, Newton's stock is on the rise – at least in the public eye.

VIKINGS HAVE CONTINGENCY PLANS

The $18.3 million price tag to replace the Metrodome roof might only be part of the problem. The Aug. 1 timeline for the completion of the replaced roof could threaten the early preseason games if that timeline isn't met. However, Vikings vice president of public affairs and stadium development Lester Bagley said the team is working with the NFL to try and have the first two preseason game being away contests.

"I know for a fact that our first game is on the road. I think our second game, we're trying to get some help with the league to make sure that will be on the road as well to give us as much … cushion as possible," Bagley said. "We're working on that. We've had preliminary conversations with the (University of Minnesota) and we have kind of a dual-track (plan), just for a fallback, just in case we've got to start going down that path as well."

Last year, with the Dome deflated on Dec. 12, the Vikings' final regular-season game was held at the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium.

DANCING BRETT?

The rumors continue to persist – although probably unfounded – that Favre will be appearing on the TV show "Dancing With the Stars," which has become a venue du jour for Hall of Fame football players, including Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice and Lawrence Taylor. However, given Favre's unpopularity last season, he may end up rivaling Bristol Palin as the dancer fans love to hate.

One blog followed the rumors to their roots, and it took some creative writing to get to the point it did. Here is that interesting piece.